Model Forum / General / Models / January 2004

The first batch of kits without the applique armor were very badly tooled.
Trumpeter was castigated in the modelling press because the Challenger 2 is
such a high profile and long-desired subject. To their credit, the manufacturer
is trying to become a world-class competitor, and they recut the molds.
Trumpeter went back to the drawing board and reportedly has corrected most of
the gaffes in the new versions (KFOR and Iraq versions, which feature the large
applique armor package on the bow and side skirts).

Overall, the first round of motorized Trumpeter kits (like their T-54 and T-55
kits, also released in Wasan Model Company boxes) are poor and misproportioned
to accommodate the motor pack, and some were poor knockoffs of Dragon and
Tamiya kits. Their more recent releases are not motorized and are much closer
in quality to the industry leaders.
GPO

I built some months ago Trumpeter British Challenger II (not the Iraq 2003
version) that, speaking for myself, is not a good kit. Unfortunately Tamiya
or Dragon don't produce kits of this beatiful tank (Tamiya has Challenger
I - Dragon I don't know).
There are a lot of missing or wrong details (road wheels, for example), and
the moulding quality is not very good (some parts are good, but some are
very bad ... ). I think Iraq 2003 version is the same kit with some added
parts like passive side armour and Thermal Identification Panels.
In general, Trumpeter's kit is a good base, but some extra work for upgrades
or adjustments is necessary.
I used some aftermaket products to improve the kit (Accurate Armour provide
some good upgrade kits and decal sets, but I think Eduard has some photo
etched part for this kit too) and the final result was ok, but considering
the price of aftermarket products, the initial low price of the kit is not
enough to consider this purchase a good choice !!
I used the upgrade sets
Accurate Armour Challenger-2 upgrade set (Op' Telic),
Accurate Armour Challenger-2 decals (Op' Telic) and
Accurate Armour Challenger-2 wheel set

good work !!

bye

FB